School was closed at the Royal Redeemer Lutheran School in North Royalton on Monday after a second-grader passed away Sunday night due to an acute bacterial illness.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health is identifying people who may be at risk of contracting the illness after coming in close prolonged contact with the student. This includes kissing, drinking from the same beverage container and sharing eating utensils. Only those who came into contact with the student in this way would be considered at risk. The illness cannot be transmitted by casual contact among those who may have been in the same class as the student.
Principal Heidi Malone said school was closed as a precaution and an emergency response crew was called in to clean the school.
It's unclear when the girl became ill and what exactly she died from. The Board of Health is still investigating this situation.
Counselors will be on hand for students and staff on Tuesday.
